Season recap: Batesburg-Leesville baseball

Batesburg-Leesville finished 19-8 in Tommy Williams’ second season at the Panthers helm. Along the way, B-L won the Region 3-2A pennant and claimed a district playoff title to advance to the Class 2A Upper State tournament.

The Panthers lose only three seniors off the roster, but one is James Rawls who has been a mainstay for five seasons. Rawls hit .452 with 23 runs, 31 RBIs, 12 doubles and six home runs in his finale go-round at B-L, and with 8-2 with a 1.62 ERA and 100 strikeouts on the mound. Perry Barnes (.234, 24 runs, 9 steals) and Dillon Lorrick (5-0, 0.54 ERA) are the other departing starters.

Scott Price, who went 5-2 with a 2.84 ERA, is expected to be the workhorse of the pitching staff next season. He also hit .333 with 22 runs and 17 RBIs in a fine sophomore season this spring.